But not everyone was as lucky. We had a few bustouts today, starting with Kathy Lehne, who fell to Steve O'Dwyer in the second level of the day. Team PokerStars Pro Daniel Negreanu also had a short day. He took a seat at the start of level 5, but quickly lost most of his stack to Daniel Dvoress in a flush-over-flush situation.

Negreanu couldn't recover after that and hit the rail soon after.

Some of the bustees decided to fire another $100,000 into this thing today including Dan Shak, David Peters, Christoph Vogelsang and Isaac Haxton. There were 13 reentries today, bringing the total number of entries up to 56.

We'll have final numbers tomorrow since late registration is open till the start of play tomorrow. That starts at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow and we'll play down to a final table. Join us for all the action right here at the PokerStars Blog.

If you're fiending for some more poker action check out our recap of the PSPC. Free-rolling Platinum Pass winning Ramon Colillas took that mega trophy and $5.1 million earlier today. --AV

He was down to 69,500 and got it all in with A♠Q♥. Matthias Eibinger called and showed A♦A♥.

The 9♠2♥5♣8♥Q♠ board didn't help Peters enough and he was eliminated for the second time today. Eibinger on the other hand is up to 510,000. --AV

9:36pm: You're goodLevel 8 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (BB ante 5,000)

Isaac Haxton opened to 11,000 under the gun, getting a call from Chris Hunichen in the hijack. It folded to Mikita Badziakouski in the small blind and he popped it up to 55,000, which only Hunichen called.

The flop: 6♣7♦7♥

Badizakouski continued for 28,000. That didn't shake off Hunichen, and the 7♣ hit the turn. Now Badziakouski led out for 50,000 and again Hunichen stuck around.

The K♣ completed the board and Badziakouski all but jammed, betting 120,000 and leaving himself just 500 behind. That move seems to the new trend.

Hunichen called.

"You're good," said Badziakouski, who showed just ace-high with A♦J♠. But no; Hunichen had the same hand with his A♠Q♦, and the two chopped it up playing trips with the king kicker. --JS

Koray Aldemir has busted his second bullet, with all his chips now in front of Adrian Mateos.

Aldemir was already all-in for a very short stack when we arrived, but Alex Foxen and Mateos could still build a side pot. The A♣5♠7♣ flop got a check from Foxen, and Mateos got him to fold with an 11,000 bet.

Aldemir turned over Q♦4♦ against Mateos' A♠K♥, which held after the 6♦J♦ turn and river.

Mateos is up to 245,000 now. --JS

9:05pm The ReturnedLevel 8 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (BB ante 5,000)

Mikita Badziakouski, Seth Davies and Isaac Haxton have all busted this thing once. They're all now back in, and they're sat right next to each other.

Haxton's doing the best on his second bullet so far, having just won a huge pot against Byron Kaverman before the level went up.

Kaverman opened to 9,000 under the gun and Haxton on the button was his only caller. The flop fell 5♠6♥4♠ and Kaverman decided to check it, letting Haxton in for a 16,000 bet. Call.

David Peters was down to exactly 50,000 and shoved from under the gun. Action folded around to Matthias Eibinger in the big blind and he called.

Eibinger showed A♠T♦ and Peters's K♥Q♥ had to improve for him to survive. It improved a bit and he hit a straight on the river of a J♣3♥9♣2♥T♣ board. Peters doubled to 100,000 while Eibinger dipped to aroudn 400,000. --AV

8:43pm: Kanit KO's HaxtonLevel 7 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (BB ante 4,000)

There was 156,000 in the pot and a 7♠3♦T♥2♥ board on the felt. Isaac Haxton checked from the hijack and Mustapha Kanit bet 33,000 from the cutoff.

Haxton moved all in for around 130,000 and Kanit called. Haxton turned over Q♠T♠ for a pair of tens while Kanit showed K♥7♥ for sevens and a flush draw. The 5♥ came on the river and Kanit hit his flush.

Haxton hit the rail while Kanit chipped up to about 420,000. --AV

8:38pm Badziakouski bustoLevel 7 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (BB ante 4,000)

Bullet no.1 is done for Mikita Badziakouski.

After Daniel Dvoress opened to 10,000 in the cutoff, Badziakouski three-bet to 32,000 on the button. Over to Igor Kurganov in the small blind, he four-bet to 80,000 which shook off Dvoress. Badziakouski called though, leaving himself 107,000 behind.

The 8♣5♥A♦ flop saw Kurganov lead for just 25,000. Badziakouski stuck around for that price, bringing the J♣ turn.

Kurganov then set Badziakouski all-in for his last 82,000, and the shades were off. Badziakouski groaned over the situation, much to the rest of his tables' delight. Kurganov too couldn't help but laugh.

"I thought about not saying anything, but you deserve a reaction," he joked to Badziakouski, who seemed to hate the situation more and more.

Eventually he called, and saw his A♥Q♥ was behind Kurganov's A♠K♣. The J♥ river changed nothing.

"CHOP!" said Badziakouski, but there was no fooling the dealer. "OK, no chop. Maybe just 10 per cent for me?"

As the title suggests, we have our first tournament millionaire: Henrik Hecklen.

Hecklen got another chip boost from David Peters. Peters raised from the hijack that hand and Hecklen three-bet to 28,000 from the cutoff. Peters called and the flop came T♠A♥2♥.

Hecklen bet 21,000 and Peters called, bringing the Q♣ on the turn. Both players checked and then Hecklen bet 65,000 after the 2♦ completed the board. Peters let it go and Hecklen is now sitting with 1.1 million. --AV

8:23pm More for HecklenLevel 7 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (BB ante 4,000)

Henrik Hecklen has picked up right where he left off when he won the €10K High Roller to wrap up EPT Prague in December. He's our chip leader right now, and has just added a few more to his arsenal courtesy of this three-way pot.

Alex Foxen got things going with a 9,000 under-the-gun open. David Peters then flatted from the small blind, and Hecklen came along from the big.

The T♠A♠3♠ flop checked to Foxen and he continued for 7,800. Peters called, as did Hecklen.

That brought the 8♥ on the turn and all three checked to the 3♦ river. Peters checked once more, and now Hecklen took the betting lead for 36,000. That shook off Foxen, and Peters followed suit.

Hecklen's up to 980,000 now, while Peters has 215,000 and Foxen 330,000. --JS

8:10pm: Davies dustedLevel 7 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (BB ante 4,000)

Seth Davies raised to 8,000 from the button and action folded to Alex Foxen's big blind.

Foxen three-bet to 31,000 and Davies, who was down to 125,000, moved all in. Foxen snap-called and turned over A♠A♣. Davies was drawing slim with A♦5♦.

The 4♣7♠T♣5♣K♣ board didn't help Davies and he hit the rail while Foxen chipped up to about 330,000. --AV

Seth Davies opened to 8,000 under the gun and picked up two callers: Daniel Negreanu in the +1 seat, and Mathias Eibinger in the big blind.

The three went to a 6♣A♣K♣ flop, and all three tapped the table. That brought the 9♦ turn, and when it checked to Davies he made a delayed c-bet of 20,000. Negreanu made the call, and Eibinger got out of the way.

The 7♣ completed the board and put a fourth club out there. Interestingly Davies now sized down to just 7,000. Call.

Davies flipped over 8♣8♦ for a medium flush, but that was good when Negreanu mucked, dropping to 85,000 and increasing Davies to 110,000.

A minute or so later Negreanu was exiting the tournament area. We're sure he'll be back for a second bullet though. --JS

It was a preflop flurry. Patrik Antonius raised from the hijack, Nick Petrangelo three-bet from the cutoff and Antonius moved all in for 142,500 when action folded back to him.

Petrangelo quickly called and showed A♠K♦ to Antonius's Q♥T♦. Antonius needed some help and got more than enough on the T♠3♥Q♠5♦Q♦ board. Antonius filled up and doubled up to nearly 300,000 while Petrangelo is still with about 625,000. --AV

David Peters just got a little revenge on Michael Soyza for that runner-runner suckout earlier (see 6:45pm).

Peters opened for 6,500 in the lojack and Soyza made it 20,000 to go in the hijack. Peters called and the flop came K♥7♣6♣. Peters check-called 20,000 there and then both players checked the A♣ turn. Peters then led for 20,000 on the J♥ river and Soyza called, only to muck when Peters turned over K♣Q♣ for the nut flush.

7:18pm: Sontheimer left with a sixth of a big blind, then bustsLevel 6 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (BB ante 3,000)

It looked very much like Steffen Sontheimer was all-in. But he wasn't; the German had made sure of that.

Sontheimer opened to 7,000 from the cutoff and was three-bet to 24,000 by Chris Hunichen on the button. Sontheimer check-called a 20,000 c-bet on the A♣6♠5♠ flop, and then both tapped the table on the 9♣ turn.

When the 8♦ river completed the board, Sontheimer loaded up a big bet. He slid out 78,000--leaving himself just a 500 chip behind--and Hunichen asked for a count.

Then he called.

Sontheimer didn't like that news, showing K♣5♣ for a pair of fives and missed flush draw. Hunichen revealed 8♥8♠ for a rivered set, good for the win.

Sontheimer was out in the very next hand, while Hunichen climbs to 640,000. --JS

Shak opened for 7,000 in the hijack seat and Daniel Dvoress called him in the big blind. Dvoress check-raised from 7,000 to 18,000 on the 6♣5♥5♠ flop and Shak called. Then both players checked the 7♣ turn. Dvoress checked once more on the K♠ river and folded to Shak's bet of 35,000.

Dvoress is still on 355,000, while Shak steps up to 225,000. --JK

7:07pm: Thorel sacks KatzLevel 6 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (BB ante 3,000)

Jean-Noel Thorel is up to 485,000 after taking out Cary Katz.

Steve O'Dwyer started the hand off with a raise to 7,500 from the cutoff. Katz three-bet to 23,000 from the button and Thorel called from the big blind. O'Dwyer called as well and all three players went to the K♦7♠Q♥ flop.

Action folded to Katz and he bet 40,000. Thorel raised to 80,000 and O'Dwyer let the two go at it. Katz used a time bank card and then moved all in. Thorel snap-called and turned over K♣Q♣ for two pair.

Katz reluctantly turned over A♦Q♦ for a pair of queens. Katz needed an ace, but the turn and river brought a 9♥2♦ instead. Katz was eliminated while Thorel chipped up to about 485,000. --AV

Daniel Negreanu will be sticking around for a bit longer on his first bullet.

He open-shoved for 53,500 in middle position and was called by Koray Aldemir in the big blind. Negreanu had A♥T♣ against Aldemir's K♥Q♥, and the board ran T♠9♠2♦3♠9♠ to pair Negreanu's ten.

He's up to 115,000 now, while Aldemir slips to 328,000. --JS

6:55pm: Adams doublesLevel 6 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (BB ante 3,000)

Andras Nemeth raised to 6,500 from under the gun and Timothy Adams moved all in for 42,000 from the hijack. Action folded back around to Nemeth and he called.

Nemeth turned over A♠J♥ and Adams showed a dominating A♣K♠. Adams was already in the lead, but he hit a K♥ on the flop to take the edge off early. The final board ran 9♠8♦K♥5♠5♣ and Adams doubled to about 90,000 while Nemeth dipped to 100,000. --AV

Timothy Adams

6:50pm: Greenwood gains Level 6 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (BB ante 3,000)

Sam Greenwood kicked this one off opening to 6,500, and was quickly three-bet to 19,000 by Talal Shakerchi on his left. Back to Greenwood, he called to see a flop.

5♦K♦A♠

The winner's celebration in the PSPC was taking place as Greenwood checked to Shakerchi, the eighth-place finisher in that event. Shakerchi continued for 14,000, and Greenwood stuck around to bring the 8♣ turn.

Shakerchi sized up this time when it checked to him, firing out 46,000. Greenwood wouldn't budge though, and the dealer laid the 2♦ on the river.

There'd be no more betting, and when Greenwood showed K♣T♣ for second pair, Shakerchi mucked.

David Peters opened for 6,000 in the hijack seat and then called after Michael Soyza jammed for his last 44,000 in the cutoff. Soyza was halfway out of his chair before the T♠8♦K♦ flop gave him the possibility of hitting a Broadway straight. He didn't catch that draw, but the K♠ turn and 8♣ river did give him a better kicker than Peters's to go with the kings and eights on the board.

Soyza's now on 95,000 to Peters's 200,000. --JK

6:40pm: Peters back inLevel 6 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (BB ante 3,000)

David Peters didn't waste any time hopping back in to the Super High Roller. He had an extra $100,000 bullet locked, loaded and ready to go.

Now at his new table, Peters is nestled in between Mustapha Kanit and Michael Soyza. He also clashed with Steffen Sontheimer in one of his first hands. Peters raised to 7,000 from the button that hand and Sontheimer called from the big blind.

The flop came 9♦J♣6♣ and Peters bet 13,500 when checked to. Sontheimer called and the 5♠ came on the turn. Peters bet again, this time for 45,000. Sontheimer folded though and Peters took down the pot. He's now above starting stack, a position he hasn't been in for a while today. --AV

Jean-Noel Thorel opened the action for 7,500 on the button and got calls from Jason Koon (small blind) and Rainer Kempe (big blind). They all checked the 3♠7♣5♦ flop.

Koon checked again on the 6♥ turn and Kempe fired 13,000. Thorel called and Koon folded. The river was the T♦ and Kempe led for 18,000. Thorel called, Kempe showed K♠7♠ for a pair of sevens, and Thorel turned over 5♠5♥ for a set of fives.

A short-stacked David Peters was all in against Jean-Noel Thorel and Rainer Kempe.

There was about 55,000 in the main pot, 28,000 in the side pot and a 5♥7♥2♠ flop on the board. Kempe bet 40,000 from the small blind and Peters did nothing but sit and wait from the big blind. Thorel called and the 8♣ came on the turn.

Kempe bet 80,000 and Thorel called again. The river was another low card and Kempe moved all in for 37,500. Thorel mucked and Peters showed A♠4♠ while Kempe turned over T♥T♣.

Kempe took down the pot and chipped up to about 370,000 while Peters hit the rail. --AV

On one table, action folded to Nick Petrangelo in the small blind. He limped, and Jesus Cortes checked his option.

On the adjacent table, a similar scenario was playing out, albeit differently. Steffen Sontheimer had no action in front of him and raised from the small blind to 10,000. Chris Hunichen was in the big, and he came along.

Petrangelo and Cortes saw a 9♥8♥J♣ flop, and Petrangelo took a 2,500 stab. Call.

Sontheimer and Hunichen's flop read 8♦2♦7♣. Sontheimer decided not to c-bet and checked to Hunichen who fired 10,500. Sontheimer let it go.

Back to the other hand, the turn was the K♦ and Petrangelo led out for 10,500. That was enough to get Cortes to fold.

Petrangelo's still the tournament boss with 775,000, while Cortes has 220,000, Hunichen has 325,000, and Sontheimer has 110,000. --JS

6:05pm: Complicated lifeLevel 5 - Blinds 1,000/2,500 (BB ante 2,500)

Seth Davies's woes continue after a pot against Matthias Eibinger.

Davies opened for 6,000 under the gun and Eibinger called in the big blind. Eibinger check-called 12,000 on the Q♥A♠9♥ flop and did the same for 40,000 on the K♣ turn, bringing the J♠ on the river. Eibinger used a time bank card there and decided to check; Davies checked behind and turbo-mucked when Eibinger showed A♣T♣ for the rivered Broadway straight.

Davies is now down to 110,000. Eibinger climbs to around 500,000. --JK

"Five of clubs? Four of clubs?" Negreanu asked. Dvoress said he didn't have a club.

"You don't have a club? What the hell are you doing in this hand?!" Negreanu asked.

"What do you have, ace-deuce?" Dvoress replied. "What the hell?"

Dvoress then said he had a flush. He was out of time bank cards too. Then he called.

Negreanu showed T♠8♣ for a flush but Dvoress tabled a better one with K♦T♣. Negreanu showed the 8♣ first and Dvoress told him that Negreanu had won. Dvoress later apologized, saying he thought Negreanu also had the king of clubs. Negreanu didn't.

Dvoress doubled to 135,000 while Negreanu dipped to just 40,000.

"Neither of us believed each other," Negreanu said. "That was a fun hand." --AV

Just happened:I 4x button (10k) with Ts 8cBB callsFlop 923ccc I bet 8kTurn Ac I bet 5k he makes it 31,500 I call. River 2h he bets 50kI put him all in for 152kHe uses all time banks and calls. I say "Flush" & show 8c he says you win. Shows Kh Tc DOH!

Seth Davies and Bryn Kenney just tangled in a pot that left Davies the worse for wear.

Kenney opened for 6,000 in the cutoff seat and Davies called in the big blind, bringing a K♣Q♠7♥ flop. Davies checked, Kenney bet 7,000, Davies raised to 30,000, and Kenney called.

The turn was the 2♥ and this time Davies check-called 48,000. Then he led for a curiously small 17,000 on the 8♥ river. Kenney used a time bank card and then raised to 140,000. Davies used two time bank cards himself but eventually decided to fold.

Kenney climbs to 360,000 with the win, while Davies falls to 180,000. --JK

With 40 unique entries up on the board (plus two re-entries), this tournament has already had more players participate than last year's equivalent. That event--won by Cary Katz--had 48 total entries, with 12 re-entries.

Registration is open until the start of play tomorrow, and re-entries are unlimited. That means we're looking good for a bigger prize pool in 2019. --JS

He oppened to 5,500 from the hijack and Foxen in the big blind was his only caller. The two saw a Q♣A♠6♠ flop, on which Kurganov continued for 4,000 when checked to. Call.

The turn was the K♠ putting three to a flush and three to a straight out there. Both decided to check, and the J♠ completed the board. You could say it was "wet".

Foxen checked a third time and Kurganov led for 11,500. Foxen didn't take too long to call, and Kurganov flipped over T♣9♣ for a straight, so spade.

Turns out Foxen didn't have a flush either. He couldn't beat the straight and mucked, although he claimed he very nearly check-raised the flop.

Foxen's down to 142,000 now, while Kurganov climbs to 340,000. --JS

Foxen, not staring

5:40pm: Fresh from breakLevel 5 - Blinds 1,000/2,500 (BB ante 2,500)

Some players went outside during the break, others went to Starbucks and some decided to buy in. We're now up to 40 players.

"Boom! I'm all in," said Team PokerStars Daniel Negreanu as he took his seat. "Nice to see you guys."

Negreanu is fresh and ready for level 5. He's going to need to be sharp too, since no table in this tournament is easy. Negreanu is now seated with Henrik Hecklen, Daniel Dvoress, Bryn Kenney, Koray Aldemir, Matthias Eibinger and Seth Davies.

As we headed into the break Jason Koon clashed with Jean-Noel Thorel and came out the better for it.

Koon opened to 4,500 under the gun and the action folded around to Thorel in the big blind. Thorel made it 25,000 to go and Koon called.

Thorel led for 30,000 on the 9♦Q♣4♦ flop and Koon called. They both checked the 9♠ turn and the Q♦ fell on the river. Thorel checked and Koon thought for about 15 seconds before betting 150,000, chasing Thorel from the hand.

That moves Koon up to 483,000, while Thorel drops to 380,000. --JK

Jason Koon: going strong

5:15pm: Break time counts

The field is now on another 20-minute break. Here's a look at the biggest stacks at the day's halfway point. --JS

This one got a bit messy though. Dan Shak had raised to 5,000 from under the gun and Koray Aldemir three-bet to 17,500 from the button. Shak called and the flop came down 4♥K♣T♥.

Aldemir bet 13,000 when checked to and Shak raised to 45,000. Aldemir reraised with a chunk of chips big enough to put Shak all in and Shak called.

"That's very bad for me," Shak said after Aldemir showed A♥2♥. Shak had a lower flush draw with 8♥7♥. That's when things got messy.

The dealer pulled out the turn, the 4♦, but the card underneath it, the 7♦, flipped off the deck for everyone to see.

The dealer put it in the burn pile and dealt the river, the 3♥.

"Are you sure?" Shak asked the dealer. The dealer said he was certain, but Shak said he saw both come out at the same time. Other players said they also saw the 7♦ come out from underneath the 4♦ and it was, in fact, the burn card.

Daniel Dvoress pointed out that it wouldn't have mattered if the four or seven was the burn card, because the flush would have hit on the river no matter what.

Things really would have been messy, they said, if the flush hadn't hit. A seven there would've saved Shak from a $100,000 elimination.

"Call me again if that happens," the tournament director said. For now though, the initial call stood and Shak was eliminated. Things got a bit messy, but they could've been a lot messier.

Aldemir is now up to about 450,000. --AV

4:45pm: Kempe climbingLevel 4 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (BB ante 2,000)

Rainer Kempe just moved a little closer to even for the day in a pot with Mikita Badziakouski.

Badziakouski check-called another 28,000 on the T♥ turn, bringing the 2♦ on the river. He checked one more time and Kempe used two time bank card before betting 93,000, leaving himself a single 500-denomination chip behind. Badziakouski asked for a count on the bet and used his entire shot clock before tossing his cards into the muck, accidentally exposing the Q♣ in the process.

Badziakouski is still on 400,000, while Kempe climbs to 195,000. --JK

Rainer Kempe is headed back to even

4:30pm: BK vs. BKLevel 4 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (BB ante 2,000)

Two of our newest arrivals just played a small pot with each other. Bryn Kenney opened for 5,500 in the hijack seat and Byron Kaverman called in the big blind. They both checked the 4♦J♠8♥ flop and 6♦ turn, and Kaverman did the same on the K♦ river. Then Kenney bet 12,000 and Kaverman folded.

Kaverman has 225,000. Kenney has 265,000. And my notes have two players abbreviated "BK." --JK

David Peters is down to 60,000 after losing a big pot to Sam Greenwood.

Peters started the hand off with a raise to 3,500 from the hijack. Greenwood called from the button and Sean Winter did the same from the big blind. The flop came Q♠J♥2♦ and Greenwood bet 4,000 when checked to .

Winter folded, Peters called and the 7♦ came on the turn. Action checked to Greenwood again and this time he bet 25,000. Peters called and the 6♠ completed the board. Peters checked again and Greenwood used a time bank card before betting 120,000.

Peters called and mucked after Greenwood showed J♣J♦ for a set of jacks.

The level went up and Peters raised to 4,500 the following hand. Greenwood reraised to 11,500 and then Peters moved all-in for 55,000 when action folded back around to him.

Greenwood let it go and Peters is sitting with 60,000 while Greenwood is up to about 300,000. --AV

Isaac Haxton's stack has so far been on the decline. But in one hand he's turned it all around.

Chris Hunichen opened to 4,000 under the gun and Haxton three-bet to 13,500 in the hijack when it folded to him. Back to Hunichen, he made the call.

The dealer spread an 8♦7♥8♥ flop, and Hunichen checked. Haxton chose a small size - 7,000 - and that was called to bring the 7♣ turn.

It checked to Haxton once again, and he wasn't slowing down. Haxton fired 30,000 this street and Hunichen didn't budge.

The 4♣ completed the board, and Haxton emptied the clip for 85,000 when checked to. Hunichen called quickly, but mucked when Haxton flipped 6♠7♠ for sevens full.

He's up to 317,000 now, while Hunichen is still up over starting stack with 300,000. --JS

4:15pm: Scratch NitscheLevel 4 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (BB ante 2,000)

Dominik Nitsche won't have a comeback story today unless he fires another bullet, gets short, and then rebuilds his stack from there. He just got the last of his chips in with 9-7 and couldn't make a hand to stick around. --JK

4pm: Igor on the upswingLevel 3 - Blinds 1,000/1,500 (BB ante 1,500)

Igor Kurganov is back in business after an interesting hand.

Jason Koon opened the betting for 3,500 under the gun and Christoph Vogelsang called in the lojack seat. The action folded to Kurganov in the small blind; he used a time bank card before re-raising to 11,500, about a quarter of his remaining chips. Koon then four-bet to 25,000, putting the action back to Vogelsang, who five-bet to 38,500. Back to Kurganov, he moved in for 44,000 total and Koon quickly folded to leave the other two heads-up:

Vogelsang: J♦J♥Kurganov: K♦K♣

The board ran out T♦2♣7♠K♥T♠, giving Kurganov kings full of tens and a 115,000-chip stack as Vogelsang slipped to 200,000. Koon said after the hand that he had T-T, which would've given him quads to knock Kurganov out had he stayed in. --JK

It's a scene, man

3:59pm: Adams gets a fewLevel 3 - Blinds 1,000/1,500 (BB ante 1,500)

Timothy Adams took down a small pot and is almost back at the 100,000 mark.

Byron Kaverman started that pot with a raise to 4,000 from middle position. Action folded to Timothy Adams on the cutoff and he three-bet to 12,000.

The blinds and button got out of the way but Kaverman called. The flop came J♦A♠9♦ and Adams bet 6,500. Kaverman called and both players checked after the 2♥ came on the turn. The river brought the K♦ and both players checked again.

Kaverman showed K♥Q♠ for a pair of kings but Adams had a pair of aces with A♣T♥. Kaverman dipped to about 210,000 while Adams is closing in on the six-figure mark with about 95,000. --AV

Mikita Badziakouski just grabbed a nice little pot without much effort.

New arrival Alex Foxen opened the action for 3,500 under the gun and Badziakouski called in the lojack seat. The action folded to the big blind, where Christoph Vogelsang took about 20 seconds before re-raising to 21,000. That cleared Foxen out of the way, but Badziakouski called.

The flop came J♠J♦2♣ and Vogelsang checked. Badziakouski bet 15,000 and took down the pot. He moves up to 405,000, while Vogelsang slips to 260,000. --JK

Matthias Eibinger and Daniel Dvoress are two players that got moved to the new table and they quickly got into a hand.

Dvoress raised to 4,000 from the hijack and Eibinger three-bet to 18,000 when action folded to his small blind. Dvoress called and the flop came down A♠3♦7♣. Eibinger bet 13,000, Dvoress called and a 5♦ came on the turn.

Eibinger checked this time and Dvoress bet 40,000. Eibinger let him have this one. Eibinger is still standing (sitting?) strong with about 450,000 while Dvoress is at about 280,000. --AV

Dominik Nitsche's bad start to the day keeps on going. He called from the big blind after Rainer Kempe raised to 4,000 from the hijack seat, bringing a flop of T♠T♣8♣. Nitsche checked, Kempe made it 6,500, and then Nitsche raised to 15,000. Kempe thought for a brief moment and then called.

Nitsche fired 11,000 on the 6♠ turn -- about a quarter of his remaining stack -- and Kempe called again. Nitsche looked ready to fire the rest of his chips on the K♣ river but decided against it. Then he folded to Kempe's 100,000-chip bet.

Nitsche is down to 29,500 now, while Kempe climbs to 393,000. --JK

3:15pm: New arrivalsLevel 3 - Blinds 1,000/1,500 (BB ante 1,500)

They're now opening a fifth table, and that can only mean more players.

So who has entered throughout the break?

Two we can spot are Andras Nemeth (known online as "probirs"), and Sean Winter. Byron Kaverman and Christoph Vogelsang are also playing, having entered during Level 2. --JS

The German opened to 10,000 only for Spain's Jesus Cortes to three-bet to 10,000 out of the big blind. Aldemir called to see a 5♠4♥4♣ flop, on which Cortes continued for 8,000. Aldemir then raised it up to 23,000, and Cortes went nowhere.

The 5♣ hit the turn, double pairing the board. Cortes now checked and Aldemir fired 22,000. That didn't shake off Cortes though. He called to see the Q♦ river, and both checked it.

Cortes rolled over J♥J♦ for an overpair to the board, and Aldemir mucked, shaking his head.

There was about 45,000 in the pot and a 6♥Q♦A♣6♠9♣ board on the table. Mateos was on the button and Stephen Chidwick had just checked. Mateos bet 33,000 and Chidwick moved all-in for 197,500.

Mateos thought, used up a time bank card and thought a bit more. He looked pained and folded, which did little to alleviate his pained look.

The next hand didn't help either.

Sam Greenwood started that hand with a raise to 2,500 from middle position. Talal Shakerchi called from the cutoff and Adrian Mateos three-bet to 14,000 from the cutoff.

The flop came 3♦J♥5♣ and Mateos bet 15,000 when checked to. Greenwood folded, Shakerchi called and the 2♦ came on the turn. Both players checked and the 9♣ completed the board. Shakerchi bet 32,000 and this time Mateos thought for two time bank cards.

Nick Petrangelo is movin' on up -- at Luc Greenwood's expense -- after making quads.

Petrangelo opened for 2,500 under the gun and Greenwood called in the cutoff, bringing a T♥4♥A♠ flop. Petrangelo led for 2,500 and Greenwood called.

Petrangelo checked the 8♣ turn, prompting Greenwood to bet 8,500. Petrangelo then raised to 40,000 and Greenwood called. Petrangelo used a time bank card before betting 30,500 on the A♦ river; Greenwood also used one before calling, but he mucked when Petrangelo showed A♣A♥ for quad aces.

That win moves Petrangelo up to 300,000. Greenwood dips to 155,000. --JK

This time there was about 18,000 in the pot and a 8♦2♦6♣ flop on the board. Eibinger checked from middle position and Hecklen bet 7,000 from the hijack.

Eibinger raised to 20,000 and Hecklen called, bringing a K♣ on the turn. Eibinger checked again and this time Hecklen fired off 18,500. Eibinger called and the river brought the 6♥. There was another check and another bet. Hecklen made it 58,000 and Eibinger thought, used a time bank card and thought some more.

Then he called.

Hecklen showed A♥K♥ and Eibinger mucked. Hecklen is now up to about 325,000 while Eibinger dipped to 210,000. --AV

The sole rep of the PokerStars red spade, Igor Kurganov, opened to 3,000 from the hijack. Immediately on his left sits Rainer Kempe, and the German three-bet it up to 11,000. Back to Kurganov, he called.

The flop fell 9♥T♠8♥ and it checked to the raiser. Kempe opted not to c-bet though, so the dealer burned and turned the Q♦. This time Kempe led for 15,000 when it checked to him, but Kurganov stuck around.

The 5♠ river completed the board and it checked to Kempe once more. He took his time before firing 40,000, which Kurganov thought about before calling.

Kempe flipped A♥J♦ for a straight, and Kurganov could only muck. He's down to 190,000 now, while Kempe's off to a great start with 320,000. --JS

Kathy Lehne cashed in this event three years ago. Unfortunately for her, if she wants to do the same this year she'll have to use her option to re-enter because Steve O'Dwyer just took her entire stack.

Lehne opened the action for 6,000 on the button and O'Dwyer re-raised to 24,000 in the small blind. Almost immediately Lehne bumped the bet to 61,000; O'Dwyer thought for about 15 seconds and then called.

O'Dwyer check-called 50,000 on the A♠9♣7♥ flop, bringing the 7♣ on the turn. He checked again and insta-called with 9♥9♦ for nines full of sevens when Lehne jammed for her last 130,000 or so. Lehne still had two outs with her A♦K♥, but the Q♥ river wasn't one of them. Lehne headed for the exit as O'Dwyer stacked up to 460,000. --JK

Short day for Lehne

2:10pm: Seeing doubleLevel 2 - Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

The players on Sam Greenwood's former table were probably thrilled to see him get moved. The bad news is he's been replaced by his twin brother Luc.

This one was pretty interesting, but we didn't get close to a showdown.

Adrian Mateos opened for 2,500 in the lojack seat and Matthias Eibinger called in the small blind. Nothing too interesting so far, you're probably thinking. Well, then Henrik Hecklen made it 16,000 from the big blind and Mateos called. Slightly more interesting, to be sure, but this is where things spiced up. Eibinger used a time bank card and then bumped the bet further to 45,000. Hecklen called and Mateos folded.

Eibinger was first to act on the Q♥J♥2♦ flop and used most of his clock before announcing a bet of 43,000. Hecklen insta-folded and all that action was for naught -- at least for everyone else but Eibinger. He's now on 330,000 to Hecklen's 240,000. --JK

1:55pm: Reraisey DaviesLevel 1 - Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

Seth Davies had a pair of re-raises. He won one, but not the other.

Dominik Nitsche started the first hand off with a raise to 2,500 from under the gun. Rainer Kempe called from middle position and David Peters did the same from the cutoff. Davies was on the button and three-bet it up to 13,000.

Nitsche folded and the other two called, bringing a 2♦J♦K♠ flop. Davies bet 11,000 when checked to and it was good enough to take down the pot.

Seth Davies with the reraise

Kempe then opened to 3,000 from under the gun a bit later and Stephen Chidwick called. Davies was on the hijack and reraised to 15,000. Both players called and the three of them went to the J♥A♠9♣ flop.

Davies bet 12,000 when checked to and only Kempe called. They both checked the 5♠ on the turn and the 2♣ completed the board. Kempe fired off a big bet: 81,000. Davies folded and went back to about starting stack while Kempe is up to about 285,000. --AV

As the world of Super High Roller study and solver solutions becomes more and more sophisticated, we're seeing bet sizes you'd rarely see, say, ten years ago.

Take this hand for example. Henrik Hecklen had opened from early position and Timothy Adams called from the small blind. Adams check-called 3,500 on the A♥7♥3♥ flop, then check-called 7,000 on the K♠ turn.

Things got real interesting on the 5♣ river. It didn't seem to change too much on the board, but when Adams checked again, Hecklen led for 55,000 into a pot of only around 25,000. That's more than 200 per cent pot, y'know.

We'd love to know what Hecklen was doing this with. Alas, Adams folded so we'll keep guessing for now. --JS

This is most likely the biggest pot that's been played so far today. You wouldn't have known it as the rest of the table kept up their small talk while Jean-Noel Thorel cut Dominik Nitsche's stack down to size.

Thorel opened for 2,500 in the lojack seat and was the only caller after Dominik Nitsche re-raised to 10,000 in the cutoff. Thorel check-called 15,000 on the 4♥5♣9♠ flop and another 40,000 on the 3♠ turn before leading for 75,000 on the T♦ river.

Nitsche thought for a good 20 seconds before throwing in the chips for a call, then raised his eyebrows in surprise when Thorel turned over 9♥8♥. The German couldn't beat that and dropped to 77,000, while Thorel is now on around 375,000. --JK

After losing a chunk of chips to Mikita Badziakouski, David Peters won some back. Peters started that hand off with a raise to 2,500 from the cutoff and Badziakouski called from the small blind. Dominik Nitsche was in the big blind and went along for the ride as well.

All three players checked the T♥4♥4♠ board and then the turn brought a few things. It brought the J♦ and Team PokerStars Pro Igor Kurganov, who took his seat to Nitsche's left.

There was also a bet. Peters bet 2,500 when action checked to him and only Badziakouski called. The 6♦ completed the board and Peters bet 13,500. Badziakouski thought, called and then mucked after Peters showed A♣J♠ for a pair of jacks.

The pot put Peters up to 185,000 while Badziakouski is back to about starting stack. --AV

1:30pm: Champions' rowLevel 1 - Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

I'll tell you up front: there's not much action in this hand. So why am I reporting it? Because two of last month's high roller champions from EPT Prague played in it.

Henrik Hecklen opened for 2,500 under the gun and Matthias Eibinger, who'd just arrived at the table, caleld in the big blind. Then they both checked the A♣K♣8♣ flop and 2♦ turn. Eibinger then check-folded to Hecklen's 3,500-chip bet on the 9♥ river.

We'll probably see plenty of action between these two given that they're seated next to one another. Just not in this hand. --JK

Having already lost a healthy pot to Timothy Adams, David Peters' tournament has continued its rough start.

With a 6♥8♦T♠3♠ board already out, Peters check-called a 11,500 bet from Mikita Badziakouski to see the Q♠ river. Peters checked, and when Badziakouski fired 24,000 Peters used up two time banks before making the call.

He saw the bad news when Badziakouski showed A♠K♠ for the nut flush. Peters mucked and is down to 150,000 now, while Badziakouski increases to 280,000. --JS

No panic from Peters

1:22pm: Growing fieldLevel 1 - Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

We're up to 23 players and the number of tables has increased by 50 percent. Kathy Lehne, Stephen Chidwick and Steve O'Dwyer have all sat down and we now have three tables going.

The new table took players from the others and includes Isaac Haton, Timothy Adams, Nick Petrangelo, Henrik Hecklen and Adrian Mateos. It's a table we'd love to watch, but be terrified to play at. --AV

As you might have guessed from the headline, Tim Adams just picked up a nice little pot from Mikita Badziakouski.

Adams opened for 2,500 in the lojack seat and was called by Badziakouski (small blind) and Dominik Nitsche (big blind). All three checked the A♣5♦K♠ flop and Badziakouski and Nitsche did the same on the 8♠ turn. That prompted Adams to bet 7,000, which only Badziakouski called.

The river was the A♦ and Badziakouski checked once more. Adams thought for 20 seconds and then bet 20,000. Badziakouski used most of his clock and eventually called, though he didn't look too happy about it. His instincts were right in that regard: Adams had A♠2♠ for trip aces. --JK

Timothy Adams just took down a decent pot against David Peters, getting plenty of value in the process.

After Adams opened the cutoff, Peters three-bet to 8,500 on the button and Adams called to see a 9♠K♠J♥ flop. It went check check to the Q♥ turn, and Adams took over the betting, leading big for 19,500. Call.

The T♦ river put a straight on the board and Adams continued, sizing down to 18,000. Peters used up his shot clock before tossing in a call.

Seth Davies is in the mood to raise it up today -- but only after there are some cards on the board.

Davies just called from the big blind after Dominik Nitsche raised to 2,500 in the hijack seat. He checked the 7♦9♣Q♥ flop and Nitsche bet 4,000. Then Davies made it 14,000 to go and Nitsche snap-folded. --JK

You don't normally see too much blog-worthy action in the opening levels of most tournaments. But this is a Super High Roller.

We've had some fun hands right off the bat, although this one wasn't so fun for Nick Petrangelo. Picking up the action on a J♠6♠2♦ flop, Petrangelo checked from the big blind position to Jean-Noel Thorel on the button. He led for 3,000 and Petrangelo stuck around.

The 3♥ hit the turn and Petrangelo check-called a 5,500 bet, taking them to the 3♦ river, pairing the board.

Petrangelo checked a final time, and used up his entire shot clock before check-calling 10,000. Thorel rolled over J♦J♥ for a full house. That revelation got a few chuckles from the table at Petrangelo's expense. --JS

Nick Petrangelo pays it off

1pm: A bit of actionLevel 1 - Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

Isaac Haxton and Adrian Mateos are seated right next to each other and decided to start feeling things out early on.

Haxton raised to 2,500 from under the gun and Adrian Mateos called from the button. Gregory Jensen called from the big blind and the three players went to the 3♦8♠T♠ flop. Haxton bet 3,000 when checked to and Mateo raised it up to 11,000.

Jensen got out of the way and a T♦ came on the turn. Haxton checked this time and Mateos fired a 23,000 bet. Haxton folded and Mateos won the first bout.

More clashes between these two powerhouses, who have more than $40 million in combined live tournament earnings, is guaranteed. --AV

Every tournament has to start somewhere. Today's event started with this hand between David Peters and Seth Davies.

The action folded to Peters in the small blind, where he called. Davies checked in the big blind to see a T♠5♠2♦ flop, which both players checked. Peters then led for 2,500 on the 6♥ turn, only to fold when Davies raised to 8,500.

Consider the seal broken. --JK

12:50pm: And they're off!

The clock is now ticking, and you know what that means: cards are in the air.

A few more names for your Super High Roller list: Adrian Mateos, Mikita Badziakouski, David Peters, Gregory Jensen, and 2009 WSOP Main Event winner Joe Cada are in the field. --JS

12:45pm: Fashionably late

We're still waiting for things to get going. In the meantime, a few more players have arrived: Nick Petrangelo, Seth Davies, Dominik Nitshce and Jean-Noel Thorel. --JS

12:30pm: In they come

The players are about to take their seats. A few we've seen hovering around the tournament area include Isaac Haxton, Timothy Adams and Sam Greenwood. --JS

11:15am: Five days in and we're just getting started

The addition of the tremendously successful and inspiring PokerStars Players Championship to the PCA schedule means we've already brought you four days of live coverage. You lucky things.

Super High Roller action kicks off at 12:30pm

And yet we're just getting started. Today sees the $100K Super High Roller kick off, and in previous years this is where our coverage usually begins. But this PCA hasn't been like the others so far. Anyone who's anyone has made the journey to Paradise Island, and there are Super High Rollers aplenty just waiting to pull up a seat at this stop's biggest buy-in event.

Last year it was Cary Katz who got the cream, outlasting a 48-entry field (including 12 re-entries) to kick his 2018 right with a $1.49 million score. He defeated Justin Bonomo heads-up, and we all know how his 2018 went. He won just over a million bucks for second, kickstarting the most phenomenal year poker has ever seen ($25.4 million when all was said and done).

Cary Katz: 2018 champ

You never know who may turn up for this one. One thing's for sure though: the cream of the poker crop will be in the mix.

Play kicks off at 12:30pm. The plan today is to play eight levels, so we should be done around 9:45pm. Here's all you need to know. --JS